Construction System

ABSTRACT

A construction system having construction elements is provided, which allows for unlimited designs of producible structures to be created. If the construction system is provided as a toy, then the construction elements can be played with without suffering fatigue. Furthermore, the producible structures are sufficiently resilient and can thus be used as a ball, for example. The construction elements can be manufactured in a simple and low-cost manner.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a US national stage application, filed under35 USC § 371, of international patent application no. PCT/EP2019/051773,filed Jan. 24, 2019, which claims the benefit of DE patent applicationno. 10 2018 101 724.3, filed Jan. 25, 2018 and DE patent application no.20 2018 100 429.8, filed Jan. 25 2018, each of which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a construction system.

Today, construction systems are manufactured and used in a large varietyof manners. For example, numerous construction systems are known bymeans of which furniture or fitments, for example in the form of roomdividers, can be produced. The design of the construction systems havinga plurality of construction elements makes it possible for these objectsto be scaled substantially as desired.

In particular, however, construction systems are known from the field oftoys. For example, there are building blocks which cannot, however, becoupled together directly in a two-dimensional manner. Furthermore, thegeometries are restricted.

In order to improve this, systems have already been proposed which arenot arranged at right angles. For example, DE 696 30 711 T2 describes aconstruction system including a construction element that has a ballconnector and a catching connector, as well as a body part arrangedbetween said two connectors. The catching connector can be arrangeddirectly on the ball connector or on the body part. Furthermore, two ormore catching connectors can also be coupled together. As a result, itis possible to produce not only two-dimensional, but rather complexthree-dimensional structures. However, structures produced thereby stilllook very much like bar structures.

A construction system is known from DE 10 2009 003 602 A2, in which theconstruction elements are two-dimensional and have three corner regionsthat include coupling elements for coupling to similar constructionelements. Said construction elements are resilient. As a result,two-dimensional and three-dimensional structures can be produced.However, the coupling is relatively fragile, since it can be easilyreleased or broken during playing. Furthermore, the couplings weakenfollowing a plurality of coupling procedures.

A construction system is also already known from GB 797 877 A, in whicheach right-angled construction element includes two diagonally opposingmale ends and two diagonally opposing female ends. The male ends areformed as pins and have a thickening. The female ends in turn include acorresponding restriction which has a smaller inside diameter than thethickenings. As a result, the male ends can be clipped into the femaleends. Therefore, although the connected construction elements can berotated relative to one another, and also withstand a certain degree offlexural stress, the coupling will, however, detach in the case of largeamounts of acting energy, such as when playing with a formed ball,against a wall.

The durability of couplings can be improved, while at the same timemaintaining the resiliency, if the elements are planar and the couplingtakes place by means of slotting together female and male ends, in aninterlocking manner, as is shown in European design 001625575. In thiscase, the construction element is formed of a resilient plasticsmaterial, wherein the connectors to be inserted into one another areformed so as to be curved, having two slits in each case. In this case,the female end of the slits faces inwards, and the male end of the slitsfaces outwards, and the width of the slits corresponds to the width ofthe thickness of the construction element. A disadvantage thereof isthat the thickness of the construction elements is limited, and theconstruction elements weaken at the positions of the slits, sinceflexural stresses act there.

SUMMARY

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improvedconstruction system in which the connectors are slotted together in aninterlocking manner. In particular, unlimited designs of produciblestructures should be possible. Preferably, the structures producedshould be able to be played with largely without suffering fatigue, andwithout the coupling between individual construction elements being ableto detach unintentionally. The produced structures should preferablyalso be sufficiently resilient and be able to be used for example as aball. It is also desirable for it to be possible for the constructionelements to be manufactured in a simple and also low-cost manner.

This object is achieved by the construction system according to theinvention according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are specifiedin the dependent claims and in the following description, together withthe drawings.

The inventors have found that this object can, in a surprising manner,be achieved particularly easily if pivoting of the second connector,along the longitudinal extension thereof, is required for coupling,because the connectors are then largely stress-free in the coupledstate, as a result of which fatigue of the construction elements isprevented and the construction system can be played with for longer.However, this embodiment according to the invention can be usedadvantageously not only for games, but also for any other desiredapplications of construction systems.

The connectors are therefore coupling elements which are interlocked inone another in the coupled state. In this case, there is always at leastone connector on one construction element, and a mating connector on theother construction element, which can, together, form an interlockingcoupling. In this case, the connector may be of a different geometricaldesign from the mating connector, but it is also possible for bothconnectors to be geometrically identical in design.

The construction system according to the invention, includes a firstconstruction element and a second construction element, wherein thefirst construction element includes a first connector, wherein the firstconnector has a first longitudinal extension and an aperture, and thesecond construction element includes a second connector, wherein thesecond connector has a second longitudinal extension, and the secondconnector of the second construction element with its longitudinalextension can be inserted into the aperture of the first connector ofthe first construction element, wherein coupling of the firstconstruction element to the second construction element results onlyfollowing pivoting of the second connector relative to the firstconnector following insertion of the second connector into the aperture,is characterized in that the first connector and the second connectorare designed such that coupling of the first construction element to thesecond construction element results only following pivoting of thesecond connector along the longitudinal axis thereof, relative to thefirst connector.

Within the scope of the present invention “can be inserted in aninterlocking manner” means that the first connector includes an apertureinto which the second connector is introduced, wherein the coupling ofthe two connectors results only by means of the second connector beingpivoted, relative to the first connector, following introduction thereofinto the first connector.

In the example of the European design 001625575, insertion of the maleend into the female end takes place, and only by pivoting about thelongitudinal extension of the male end are the corresponding slitsinserted into each other, resulting in the coupling. In this case, theconstruction elements cannot be oriented so as to be mutually parallelwithout the connector building up restoring forces which introduceflexural stresses into the construction system, leading to fatigue. Incontrast, DE 696 30 711 T2 and DE 10 2009 003 602 A2 disclose merelyclip connections, in which no pivoting is possible (DE 10 2009 003 602A2) or pivoting does not bring about coupling, but instead merelyrotation of the connectors against one another (DE 696 30 711 T2). GB797 877 A, too, includes merely a clip connection, wherein the couplingtakes place by way of the insertion. In contrast, possible pivoting doesnot bring about the coupling.

In contrast, according to the present invention pivoting takes place,along the longitudinal extension of the male end. As a result, theinclination of the longitudinal extensions of the first connector and ofthe second connector change with respect to one another. This isrelative pivoting, i.e. it is possible both for the inclination of thelongitudinal extension of the first connector to be changed relative tothe longitudinal extension of the second connector, and for theinclination of the longitudinal extension of the second connector to bechanged relative to the longitudinal extension of the first connector,as well as for the inclination both of the longitudinal extension of thefirst connector and of the longitudinal extension of the secondconnector to be changed.

According to an advantageous development, the second connector can beinserted into the first connector such that a plane in which the firstlongitudinal extension is located, and a plane in which the secondlongitudinal extension is located, are mutually parallel. Said twoplanes are preferably identical planes. If, therefore, in the connectedstate of the connectors, the longitudinal extensions of the connectorsare at least in parallel planes, it is possible to prevent flexuralstresses during playing, as a result of which fatigue of theconstruction elements is prevented, and the construction system can beplayed with for longer.

According to an advantageous development, the aperture includes anopening which extends along the longitudinal extension of the firstconnector. Coupled construction elements can then be arranged very flat,and in one plane.

According to an advantageous development, the aperture includes anopening which is formed in a shape from the group of polygon, circle,rectangle and square. These shapes can be formed in a particularlyfatigue-free manner. Advantageously, the edges of the apertures can inaddition be formed in a beveled manner.

According to an advantageous development, at least one constructionelement is designed so as to be flexible and/or resilient. As a result,it is possible to produce particular structures which are optionallyalso resilient, such that for example spherical structures such as ballscan be played with.

According to an advantageous development, the second connector can bearranged in the first connector so as to be rotatable, transversely tothe fir longitudinal extension. It is then possible to form a pluralityof figures of different geometrical forms. In this case, in theconnected state of the connectors the longitudinal extensions of the twoconnectors are necessarily in an identical plane.

According to an advantageous development, the second connector can bearranged in the first connector in a form-locking and/or force-lockingmanner. The structures produced are then formed in a particularlydurable manner.

According to an advantageous development, the first construction elementand/or the second construction element includes a body part having athird longitudinal extension, on which the first and/or the secondconnector is arranged, wherein the third longitudinal extension ispreferably not in a plane with the first and/or the second longitudinalextension. It is thus possible to produce structures in which there isno height offset between the construction elements.

According to an advantageous development, the first and/or the secondconstruction element includes at least one first and one secondconnector, preferably at least two first and two second connectors. Itis then possible to produce structures that are dimensioned as desired.

According to an advantageous development, the first and/or the secondconstruction element includes a plurality of first and secondconnectors, the first and/or second longitudinal extensions of which arein one plane. Construction elements built up in this manner aretherefore in a plane of a produced structure.

According to an advantageous development, the first construction elementand the second construction element are designed identically. Theconstruction system is then set up in a particularly simple manner.

According to an advantageous development, the first connector isdesigned so as to be annular, at least in regions. The structuresproduced are then particularly favorable, wherein significant durabilityis achieved, together with the smallest possible material outlay.Furthermore, in this connector, the corresponding mating connector canbe rotated about the axis of rotation of the annulus such that anydesired geometrical structures can be produced.

According to an advantageous development, the second connector includesa connector element which is preferably round, at least in regions,wherein the connector element is in particular rounded, at least on oneside, at least in regions. This, too, ensures a particularly high degreeof durability of the produced structures. Furthermore, this connectorcan be rotated, in the mating connector thereof, about the axis ofrotation of the round blank, such that any desired geometricalstructures can be produced. In this connection “round” is intended tomean cylindrical, having a smaller height in relation to the diameter.

According to an advantageous development, the second connector includesa first stop which is designed such that it can be inserted through thefirst connector and, in the connected state of the first and secondconnector, prevents the second connector from being removed from thefirst connector perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension of thesecond connector, wherein the first stop is preferably designed as aprotrusion, at least in regions, relative to the connector element,which protrusion in particular protrudes along the longitudinalextension of the second connector, relative to a connector element ofthe second connector. As a result, automatic decoupling of theconnectors is prevented even if the construction elements are understress, for example in the case of a curved three-dimensional structure.

Alternatively or in addition, it is advantageous for the secondconnector to include a first stop which can act as a leverage pointand/or joint for the pivoting, during coupling of the first connectorand of the second connector. This makes the coupling particularly easilypossible.

According to an advantageous development, the second connector includesa second stop which prevents the second connector from being able toslide through the first connector upon insertion, wherein the secondstop is preferably designed as a shoulder on the body part and/or on theconnector element, which shoulder in particular has a larger crosssection than the aperture of the first connector. As a result, erectionof the desired structure from the construction elements is significantlyfacilitated. Furthermore, the couplings of the construction elementsalso cannot change during play, and therefore it is not possible to pushthe first connector through the mating connector.

Alternatively or in addition, it is advantageous for the secondconnector to include a second stop which can act as a leverage pointand/or joint for the pivoting, during decoupling of the first connectorand of the second connector. This makes the coupling and decouplingparticularly easily possible.

According to an advantageous development, the first connector and thesecond connector are adjusted so as to be interconnected by means of aninsertion tilting movement, and detached from one another by means of atilt extraction movement. The desired structures can then beparticularly easily produced and dismantled again. The tilting movementpreferably takes place transversely to the longitudinal extension of theconnector that is to be tilted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and further advantages of the invention will become clearin the following, with reference to the description of a preferredembodiment, in conjunction with the figures.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the construction element according tothe invention according to a first preferred embodiment of theconstruction system according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a side view of the construction element according to theinvention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of the construction element accordingto the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a plan view from below of the construction element accordingto the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 shows a ball, shown together with the construction elementaccording to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a perspective detail of the connection between twoconstruction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section through the connection according toFIG. 6,

FIGS. 8a-c are three different views of an example of construction usingconstruction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 1,

FIGS. 9a-c are side views of the construction element according to theinvention, according to a second, third and fourth preferred embodiment,

FIGS. 10a-c are perspective views of the construction element accordingto the invention, according to the second, third and fourth preferredembodiment,

FIGS. 11a-b are two different views of an example of construction usingconstruction elements according to the invention according to FIG. 9 b,

FIG. 12 shows an example of construction using construction elementsaccording to the invention according to FIG. 9 c,

FIG. 13 shows a further example of construction using constructionelements according to the invention according to FIG. 9 c,

FIGS. 14a-b show the principle of the coupling according to theinvention in a starting position,

FIGS. 15a-b show the principle of the coupling according to theinvention in a position inserted into one another.

FIGS. 16a-b show the principle of the coupling according to theinvention in a position inserted into one another and tilted, and

FIGS. 17a-b show the principle of the coupling according to theinvention in a coupled position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, various views of a first preferred embodiment ofthe construction system 10 according to the invention are shown.

It can be seen that the construction system 10 comprises identicallydesigned construction elements 12 which each comprise a central bodypart 14 and connectors 16, 18 arranged thereon, which connectors arearranged such that the provided the construction element 12approximately with the shape of a rectangle, in plan view (cf. FIGS. 3and 4). In case, however, recesses 20, 22 are provided, as a result ofwhich the construction element 12 appears narrower in plan view, andfurthermore the absence of play is increased.

It can furthermore be seen that the first connector 16 is designed so asto be annular, in regions, and comprises a circular aperture 24 having abeveled edge 26.

The second connector 18 comprises a connector element 28 that is formedso as to be round, in regions, having a beveled top edge 30. In thiscase, the bevel 30 is formed more prominently than the bevel 26, as aresult of which the coupling between the second connector 18 and thefirst connector 16 can take place in a particularly simple manner, aswill be explained in the following.

Furthermore, the second connector 18 comprises a first stop 32 which isformed as a protrusion, in regions, and is located opposite the rearedge 33 of the connector element 28 (cf. FIG. 2). There is, in addition,a second stop 34 which is formed as a shoulder on both sides of the bodypart 14. Said stop 34 has a larger cross section that the cross sectionof the connector element 28. Furthermore, the stop 34 has a larger crosssection than the inside diameter of the aperture 24.

The inside diameter of the recess 24 and outside diameter of theconnector element 28 are matched to one another such that aninterference fit, and thus a form- and force-fitting connection, resultswhen the two connectors 16, 18 are coupled together.

It can furthermore be seen that both the first connector 16 and thesecond connector 18 in each case have longitudinal extensions L1, L2which are in the same plane E (cf. FIG. 2). More precisely, thelongitudinal extensions L1, L2 are each located in their own planeswhich, however, coincide in the plane E.

The plane in which the longitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14 islocated is spaced apart therefrom, wherein the body part 14 is inaddition also curved. There is therefore no plane, in which thelongitudinal extension L3 of the body part 14 is located, that coincideswith a plane in which the longitudinal extensions L1, L2 are located.

FIG. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of an object produced using theconstruction system 10, which object is shown as a ball 100.

It can be seen that, in this case, a total of 30 individual constructionelements 12 have been interconnected such that an approximatelyspherical outside face 103, having recesses 104, 106 located thereinresults around an inside 102 of the ball 100. Said sphere shape 103 isalso made possible in particular because the planes of the longitudinalextensions L1, L2 of the connectors 16, 18 are arranged so as to be setback relative to the plane of the longitudinal extension L3 of the bodypart 14, such that no offsets and cracks arise, as exist for example inthe European design 001625575.

More precisely, the ball 100 comprises two different recesses 104, 106,wherein the first recess type 104 is approximately circular and isformed by coupling three construction elements 12 a, 12 a′, 12 a″ alongthe recesses 20 thereof, along the relevant longitudinal extension L3 ofthe body parts 14.

The recesses 106, in turn, are approximately stellate, having fivepoints. They result from coupling five construction elements 12 a, 12 b,12 c, 12 d, 12 a″ along the recesses 22 thereof, perpendicularly to therelevant longitudinal extension L3 of the body parts 14.

Since the body parts 14 are curved and, due to the flexibility thereof,the ball 100 can be easily put together, and it is also highly resistantto detachment of the construction elements 12 from one another, as wellas flexibility in the event of pressure on the ball surface 103. As aresult, not only can the ball 100 be produced very quickly, but it isalso excellent to play with. In other words, throwing the ball 100against a solid wall (not shown) does not lead to detachment of theconstruction elements 12 from one another, but instead, upon strikingthe wall, the kinetic energy of the ball 100 leads to bending of theresilient construction elements 12, as a result of which said kineticenergy is stored and is released again upon relaxation of the bentconstruction elements 12, as a result of which the ball 100 bounces backfrom the wall. This is a substantial difference from all knownconstruction elements, which are interconnected by simple perpendicularclipping, and where bouncing of this kind would lead to detachment ofthe construction elements.

The assembly and separation of the construction elements 12, 12′ isshown in greater detail in FIGS. 6 and 7.

It can be seen that, during assembling, the second connector 18 issimply inserted into the first connector 16. More precisely, the firststop 32 of the connector element 28 of the second connector 18, whichstop protrudes relative to the connector element 28, along thelongitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18, is inserted ahead,into the aperture 24 of the first connector 16. In this case, thelongitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are tilted relative to one another,for example by 90°. In contrast, owing to the significant protrusion ofthe first stop 32 relative to the round connector element 28,perpendicular insertion of the second connector 18 into the firstconnector 16 is not possible when the longitudinal extensions L1 and L2are oriented so as to be in parallel.

In this case, the second stop 34 of the second connector 18, which has alarger cross section than the inside diameter of the aperture 24, comesinto contact on the first connector 16, as a result of which the secondconnector 18 cannot slide through the first connector 16.

The contact points of the second stops 34 on the upper face 36 of thefirst connector 16 then function as a joint and leverage point, and thesecond connector 18 can be tilted about this joint, relative to thefirst connector 16, until the first stop 32 strikes the lower face 38 ofthe first connector 16. In this case, the tilting takes placetransversely to the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector18. In other words, in this case pivoting takes place along thelongitudinal extension L2 of the second connector 18.

In this case, the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 and,opposingly, also the bevel 26 of the connector element 28 is pressedinto the aperture 24, as a result of which the first and secondconnectors 16, 18 form an interference fit.

As a result, the connection between the first connector 16 and thesecond connector 18 is locked by means of the contact of the first stop32 on the lower face 36 of the first connector 16 and of the second stop34 on the upper face 38 of the first connector 16, as a result of whichthe connection, i.e. the coupling between the first connector 16 and thesecond connector 18, and thus the coupling between the firstconstruction element and the second construction element 12′, isparticularly durable.

If, in contrast, the second connector 18 is not inserted so deeply intothe first connector 16 that the second stops 34 come into contact on theupper face 36, then, upon tilting, the first stop 32 comes into contacton the lower face 38 of the first connector 16. This contact of thefirst stop 32 on the lower face 38 then functions as a correspondingjoint and leverage point.

Then, upon tilting, the rear edge 33 of the connector element 28 is inturn pressed into the aperture 24, as a result of which the first andsecond connectors 16, 18 form an interference fit. Therefore here, too,pivoting takes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the secondconnector 18.

For separating the connection between the first and second connector 16,18, opposing tilting of the second connector 18 is carried out,transversely to the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector18, relative to the first connector 16 (in this case, pivoting in turntakes place along the longitudinal extension L2 of the second connector18). In this case, the joint formed by the contact of the second stops34 on the upper face 36 of the first connector 16 in turn acts as aleverage point, as a result of which the rear edge 33 of the connectorelement 28 and, opposingly, also the bevel 26 of the connector element28 can be withdrawn from the aperture 24 and, as a result, theinterference fit is released and, finally, the second connector 18 canbe removed from the first connector 16.

Here, too, the larger cross section of the second stop 34 of the secondconnector 18 with respect to the inside diameter of the aperture 24 inturn prevents the second connector 18 from sliding through the firstconnector 16.

Furthermore, the significant protrusion of the first stop 32 relative tothe round second connector 28, perpendicular removal of the secondconnector 28 from the first connector 18 is not possible when thelongitudinal extensions L1 and L2 are oriented so as to be in parallel.

The relatively significant length of the body part 14 with respect tothe spacing of the rear edge 33 and bevel 26 from the joint being formedcreates relatively significant leverage during connection and separationof the construction element 12, which means that no high forces arerequired.

Forming the first connector 16 as an annulus in part, and the secondconnector 18 in a manner having a round connector element 28, makes itpossible for two interconnected construction elements 12 to be freelypivoted about the vertical axis formed by the connection of the twoconnectors 16, 18 (cf. FIG. 6), specifically until the constructionelements collide along the recesses 20 or the recesses 22. This freemobility is further assisted by the recesses 20, 22 and the inclinedattachment 40 of the first connector 16 to the body part 14.

As a result, two construction elements 12 can be interconnected not onlyby means of one corresponding connector 16, 18, respectively, but ratheralso by means of two adjacent connectors 16, 18, wherein a connection ispossible both along the recess 20 and along the recess 22.

In addition to complex shapes, such as the ball 100, in which theconstruction elements 12 are oriented so as to be angled with respect toone another, other shapes can also be produced thereby, in which atleast some construction elements 12 are mutually parallel.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show just one coupling of the two construction elements12, 12′ by means of coupling the second connector 18 to the firstconnector 16. Coupling of the second connector 18′ to the firstconnector 16′ could also exist at the same time, however, such that thetwo construction elements 12, 12′ would be connected along the recesses22 of the body parts 14.

In the example of construction 200 shown in FIGS. 8a-c , twoconstruction elements 12, 12′ are connected by coupling the secondconnector 18 to the first connector 16, and the second connector 18′ tothe first connector 16′, along the recesses 20 of the body part 14, 14′,resulting in an opening 202 which is of exactly large enough to receivethe body part 14″ of a third construction element 12″ therein in aforce-fitting, i.e. clamped, manner. As a result, complex 3-dimensionalshapes can be produced, because it is now possible to couple furtherconstruction elements 12 directly to the construction element 12″,independently of the construction elements 12, 12′.

Furthermore, two construction elements 12, 12′ can also be coupledtogether in a manner resting directly on top of one another (not shown),wherein all the first connectors 16, 16′ are then coupled to thecorresponding second connectors 18, 18′. As a result, the outwardlycurved body parts 14, 14′ in each case in turn form an opening, in whicha third construction element 12′″ can be arranged in a force-fitting,i.e. clamped, manner.

Owing to the resiliency, folding of the construction elements 12 at therecesses 20 is also possible, wherein the first connectors 16 can becoupled to the opposite second connectors 18 of said constructionelement 12.

FIGS. 9a-c and 10a-c are side views and perspective views, respectively,of alternative embodiments for the construction element 210, 212, 214according to the invention.

It can be seen that these construction elements 210, 212, 214 alsocomprise two first connectors 216, 218, 220 and two second connectors222, 224, 226, respectively, which are not, however, arranged in asquare, as in the case of the construction element 12, but insteadlinearly on a bar-shaped body 228, 230, 232, wherein the secondconnectors 222, 224, 226 are in each case located on the outside, andthe first connectors 216, 218, 220 are arranged therebetween.

These construction elements 210, 212, 214, too, are resilient to such anextent that they are foldable (not shown), in order to couple a secondconnector 222, 224, 226 to a distinct first connector 216, 218, 220.

The construction elements 212, 214 additionally comprise openings 234,236 into which other construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can beinserted. If said construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 were folded asdescribed, they can be suspended in the openings 234, 236, in order toform movable branches of complex 3-dimensional constructions.

In the case of the coupling between a first construction element 214 anda second construction element 214 (not shown), the second connector 226of the second construction element 214 could also be pushed through theopening 236 of the fir construction element 214 and subsequently coupledto the first connector 220 of the first construction element 214.

FIGS. 11a and 11b are a perspective view and a plan view of an exampleof construction 300 comprising a plurality of construction elements 212arranged so as to be at right angles to one another.

FIGS. 12 and 13 are a perspective view and a plan view of examples ofconstruction 400, 500 comprising a plurality of construction elements214 arranged so as not to be at right angles to one another.

FIGS. 14 to 17 show the general principle of the coupling 600, accordingto the invention, of a first connector 602 and a second connector 604.In this case, FIGS. 14a, 15a, 16a and 17a are each perspective views,and FIGS. 14b, 15b, 16b and 17b are each side views. Said connectors602, 604 can be arranged, as first and second connectors, on each of theconstruction elements 10, 210, 212, 214 shown, or also on constructionelements of different geometrical designs.

It can be seen that the first connector 602 is in turn annular,comprising a circular opening 606. In this case, the opening 606 extendsalong the longitudinal extension L′1 of the first connector 602.

The second connector 604 comprises a connector element 608 which isalmost completely spherical. A first stop 610, in the form of aprotrusion, in regions, and a second stop 612, in the form of ashoulder, are provided on the connector element 608, on which shoulder abody part 614 is arranged. Further first connectors 602 and/or secondconnectors 604 (not shown) can be provided on said body part, but thisdoes not have to be the case.

The first stop 610 has an arc-shaped contour on the lower face 616thereof, which is dimensioned such that it can be inserted, togetherwith the spherical connector element 608, into the circular opening 606of the first connector (cf. FIG. 15). The arc-shaped contour thusextends tangentially from the connector element 608.

In contrast, the second stop 612 protrudes, relative to the connectorelement 608, along the longitudinal extension L′2 of the secondconnector 604, and therefore the connector element 608 can be insertedinto the opening 606 of the first connector 602 only up to halfway (cf.FIG. 15).

Once the second stop 612 has come into contact on the first connector602 (cf. FIG. 15), the second connector 604 is pivoted relative to thefirst connector 602, wherein the longitudinal extensions L′1, L′2 aretilted, relative to one another, from the 90° orientation shown in FIG.15, via a tilted orientation (cf. FIG. 16), into a 180° orientation (cf.FIG. 17).

During tilting of the second connector 604 relative to the firstconnector 602, the connector element 608 functions as a swivel head,about which the opening 606 rotates. Said rotation is stopped, in thestate of shown in FIG. 17 in which the longitudinal extensions L′1, L′2of the first connector 602 and second connector 604 are oriented so asto be in parallel, in that the rear face 618 of the first connector 602comes into contact on the first stop 610, and the front face 620 of thefirst connector 602 comes into contact on the second stop 612.

The decoupling between the first connector 602 and the second connector604 simply takes place in the reverse sequence, i.e. by tilting (cf.FIG. 16) as far as a 90° orientation (cf. FIG. 15), and removal of thesecond connector 604 from the first connector 602 (cf. FIG. 14).

Advantageously, an interference fit exists between the opening 606 andthe connector element 608.

It is clear from what has been set out above that the present inventionspecifies an improved construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600, bymeans of which unlimited designs of producible structures can bemanufactured. If the construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600 isprovided as a toy, then the construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 canbe played with without suffering fatigue. Furthermore, the produciblestructures are sufficiently resilient and can thus be used as a ball 100for example. Finally, the construction elements 12, 210, 212, 214 can bemanufactured in a simple and low-cost manner. In addition to toys,however, the construction system 10, 300, 400, 500, 600 can also be usedfor any other desired applications, for example in robotics or otherfields where there is a mechanical connection between individualconstruction elements 12, 210, 212, 214, and thus free scalability isprovided.

Unless otherwise specified, all the features of the present inventioncan be combined freely with one another. In addition, unless otherwisespecified the features described in the description of the figures canalso freely combined, as features of the invention, with the remainingfeatures. In this case, features of the construction system and of theconstruction element that relate to objects can also be used in thecontext of a method, when reworded as method features, and methodfeatures can be used in the context of the construction system and ofthe construction element, when reworded as features of the constructionsystem and of the construction element.

1-15. (canceled)
 16. A construction system comprising: a firstconstruction element comprising: a first body; a first connectorextending from the first body, the first connector comprising a firstlongitudinal extension and an aperture; and a second constructionelement comprising: a second body; a second connector extending from thesecond body, the second connector comprising a second longitudinalextension capable of being inserted into the aperture of the firstconstruction element, wherein coupling of the first construction elementto the second construction element results only following: insertion ofthe second connector into the aperture; and pivoting the secondconnector, about the second longitudinal extension thereof, relative tothe first connector.
 17. A construction system according to claim 16,wherein: the second connector comprises a first stop designed to beinserted through the first connector, and upon said coupling the firstconstruction element to the second construction element, the first stopprevents the second connector from being removed from the firstconnector perpendicularly to the second longitudinal extension of thesecond connector.
 18. A construction system according to claim 17,wherein the first stop comprises a protrusion extending away from thesecond longitudinal extension.
 19. A construction system according toclaim 17, wherein the second construction element comprises a secondstop adapted to prevent the second connector from sliding through thefirst connector upon said coupling the first construction element to thesecond construction element.
 20. A construction system according toclaim 19, wherein the second stop comprises a shoulder having a crosssection that is larger than a cross section of the aperture.
 21. Aconstruction system according to claim 20, wherein the second stop islocated on the second body.
 22. A construction system according to claim20, wherein the second stop is located on the second connector.
 23. Aconstruction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connectorcomprises a spherical or round portion.
 24. A construction systemaccording to claim 16, wherein, upon said coupling the firstconstruction element to the second construction element, the firstlongitudinal extension is parallel to the second longitudinal extension.25. A construction system according to claim 16, wherein the aperturecomprises a shape selected from the group consisting of: a polygon, acircle, a rectangle and a square.
 26. A construction system according toclaim 16, wherein at least one of the first construction element and thesecond construction element is flexible and/or resilient.
 27. Aconstruction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connectoris connected to the first connector such that the second connector maybe rotated transversely to the first longitudinal extension.
 28. Aconstruction system according to claim 16, wherein the second connectoris form-fitted and/or force-fitted into the first connector.
 29. Aconstruction system according to claim 16, wherein the first connectorcomprises a third longitudinal extension connected to the first body andthe first longitudinal extension.
 30. A construction system according toclaim 29, wherein the first longitudinal extension is not in a planewith the third longitudinal extension.
 31. A construction systemaccording to claim 16, wherein: the second connector comprises a thirdlongitudinal extension connected to the second body and the secondlongitudinal extension, and the second longitudinal extension is not ina plane with the third longitudinal extension.
 32. A construction systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the second construction element furthercomprises a third connector extending from the second body, the thirdconnector comprising a third longitudinal extension and a secondaperture
 33. A construction system according to claim 32, wherein thefirst construction element further comprises a fourth connectorextending from the first body, the fourth connector comprising a fourthlongitudinal extension capable of being inserted into the secondaperture of the second construction element.
 34. A construction systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the second construction element furthercomprises a third connector comprising a third longitudinal extensioncapable of being inserted into the aperture.
 35. A construction systemaccording to claim 16, wherein the first construction element furthercomprises a third connector comprising a third longitudinal extensionand a second aperture.